Honey fungus (chiodini)

Armillaire couleur de miel

What it is

The mycelium of this tree-killer glows faintly in rotting wood - the cold light Aristotle described and foresters still call foxfire. In Italy the young caps are chiodini, little nails, sold by the crate in autumn and never thrown straight into the pan.

In the kitchen

Blanch them five minutes and throw the water away: raw or lightly cooked they will make you ill. Keep the caps only - the stems stay stringy however long you cook them.

Goes with

Garlic Parsley Olive oil Stone-ground polenta Pork Thyme Red wine vinegar

In season alongside

Bay bolete Chinese truffle Snail eggs Amethyst deceiver Arbutus berry Hind

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